A Deep Understanding of Cultural Sensitivity

Medical translation goes beyond simply converting words from one language to another. It requires an understanding of the cultural and linguistic nuances that influence how information is received. One of the most overlooked aspects of medical translation is cultural sensitivity. Language is deeply connected to culture, and failing to consider these elements can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations. At Australis, we provide localization services to ensure that translations are adapted to the cultural background of the target audience. We take into account factors such as idiomatic expressions, local medical terminology, tone, and formalities to make sure the message is not only accurate but also culturally appropriate. Whether translating patient brochures, consent forms, or medical reports, our team ensures that the information is clear, respectful, and relevant to the people who need it most.

Leveraging Technology to Improve Quality and Efficiency

In today’s fast-paced world, medical translation must balance quality with efficiency. At Australis, we use Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools, databases, and other resources to enhance accuracy and maintain consistency across all projects. CAT tools allow us to build and utilize translation memories, glossaries, and term bases, which are essential for maintaining coherence in medical terminology across different documents. This not only improves the quality of translations but also helps reduce costs and speed up delivery times. While technology plays a valuable role in our work, it is always combined with human expertise. Automated tools alone are not enough when it comes to medical translations, as context and cultural nuances require professional judgment. Our team ensures that every translated document is carefully reviewed and adapted as needed.

Expertise and a Commitment to Ongoing Learning

Medical translation is a field that demands continuous learning and adaptation. Medical advancements, new research, and evolving terminology require translators to stay updated at all times. At Australis, we have assembled a team of professionals with over a decade of experience in medical and healthcare translation. Our specialists not only keep pace with industry changes but also work to ensure that complex medical information is translated into clear, accessible language that both professionals and non-specialists can understand. Each project presents unique challenges, whether it involves highly technical content for specialists or simplified instructions for patients. Our team carefully analyzes every document to ensure that the final translation is faithful to the original text while remaining easy to understand. The goal is always to provide reliable and meaningful translations that serve their intended purpose.

A Proven Track Record of Success

Australis has worked with clients across various sectors of the medical and healthcare industry. Our experience includes collaborations with pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, healthcare providers, research institutions, and individual patients seeking assistance with medical documentation. Some of the documents we have translated include:

• DNA test results and genetic analysis reports
• Medical reports for children with disabilities and disorders
• Patient discharge instructions after hospitalization
• Information brochures on topics such as nutrition, breastfeeding, and disease prevention
• Consent forms for medical procedures and data privacy agreements
• Instructions for medical devices, including infusion pumps and ventilators

No matter the complexity of the document, our approach remains the same: accuracy, clarity, and cultural relevance.

Why Choose Australis?

Australis is more than just a translation provider; we are a dedicated partner in bridging language barriers in the medical field. With a strong focus on precision, cultural sensitivity, and efficiency, we ensure that critical medical information is conveyed accurately and effectively. Whether you are a healthcare professional, researcher, or patient in need of medical translation services, our team is committed to delivering translations that you can trust. By combining industry expertise with cutting-edge tools and a deep understanding of cultural differences, we provide solutions that truly meet the needs of the medical community. When accuracy and reliability matter most, Australis is the right choice for your medical translation needs.

However, with the mass production of videos, there is a growing need for accurate and accessible subtitling services, especially as these videos aim to engage diverse and global audiences. Subtitles improve reach and understanding while also enhancing video performance to connect with a broader audience.

To better understand this shift, we will explore the factors driving the popularity of formats like Reels and the benefits of incorporating subtitles into such media.

5 Reasons for the popularity and acceptance of Short-Form Video format.

1. Quick Consumption: In the face of a declining attention span, short videos satisfy the need for instant gratification, offering impactful content in 60 seconds or less. As a result, platforms have adapted by giving priority to this format.

2. Engaging Format: The mix of visuals, sound, and storytelling makes short videos captivating. Interactive features like likes, comments, and shares boost audience participation, while editing and subtitles enhance their appeal.

3. Algorithm Priority: Social media platforms favor short videos, often placing them at the top of feeds. This visibility helps creators expand their reach and grow their audience effectively.

4. Creative Freedom: Short videos allow creators to experiment with trends, music, filters, and editing to suit specific audiences and purposes, such as comedy, storytelling, or educational content.

5. Mobile-Friendly Design: Designed for vertical viewing, short videos fit the natural way people use smartphones, making them easy to watch anytime, anywhere.

As you can see, short-form videos have become a versatile medium, reaching audiences in various contexts and settings. This adaptability brings with it the challenge of ensuring that the content remains impactful and accessible to all viewers.

In this context, subtitles are a critical element in addressing this challenge, making them an indispensable part of short-form videos. Next, we will discuss this topic in more detail.

Why Subtitles Are Crucial for Short-Form Videos.

1. Silent Viewing: Many viewers watch videos on mute, especially in public or work settings. Subtitles ensure they can understand your content, keeping it effective even without sound.

2. Improved Accessibility: Subtitles make videos accessible to people with hearing impairments and meet growing accessibility expectations, broadening your audience and showing social responsibility.

3. Global Reach: Subtitles help your videos resonate with viewers who speak different languages, enhancing global engagement and fostering cross-cultural connections.

4. Enhanced Comprehension: Subtitles clarify fast-paced dialogue, heavy accents, or background noise, ensuring your message is quickly and effectively understood.

5. Increased Engagement Rates: Subtitles boost viewer retention and completion rates by making content easier to follow, increasing the likelihood of interactions like sharing or following.

Ways to Add Subtitles to Short-Form Videos.

When it comes to subtitling, creators will typically choose between automatic or professional subtitles.

Automatic subtitles are available on most social media platforms. This method is free and fast, making it convenient for quick content creation. However, automatic subtitles can sometimes contain errors, which may impact the accuracy and professionalism of the message you’re trying to convey.

On the other hand, professional subtitling services provides a more reliable and polished result. Professional subtitle services ensure your captions are accurate and easy to read, eliminating any errors that could distract viewers or diminish the impact of your message.

At Australis, we offer professional subtitling services that are both simple and cost-effective, helping you create accessible content that resonates with a broader audience, showing your true commitment to non-English speakers.

For detailed information about our subtitling services, visit our website. To explore our video editing and localization solutions, check out the following page.

Additionally, a multilingual SEO strategy is key to business that aims to expand globally. Through SEO localization, you can align your content with what your audience searches for, discusses, and evaluates online.

3 Key Aspects of the SEO Localization Process.

SEO, or search engine optimization, is about ensuring your audience finds you at the right moment. While creating content in multiple languages for your target markets can improve local search engine rankings in different regions, it is only one part of the equation. It’s equally important to address the critical question: “Are these the terms my audience uses to search for my product?”

With this as a starting point, at Australis Localization we have identified three key aspects to consider when starting an SEO localization process:

1. Keyword localization according to frequent search expressions: Literal translations of keywords will fall short. Instead, we research your audience’s search habits to detect the most relevant search terms for each target language and region.

The best way to generate great keywords is to combine the use of Keyword Search apps such as Google Trends, with professional in-country translators that will provide keywords that are natural to the people in the region you’re targeting.

For example, consider a foreign businessman planning to sell vehicle parts in the United States. If he translates the search term he knows for this product, he might use “Automotive parts.” However, U.S. consumers are more likely to search for “Auto parts.” As shown in the graph below, selecting the right keywords can significantly impact the effectiveness of a campaign, as some terms resonate more strongly with the target audience than others.

2. Technical Localization for SEO Elements: SEO localization extends beyond visible content; it also involves adapting technical elements such as meta titles, meta descriptions, and alt text for images. These elements must include localized keywords to improve search rankings and click-through rates.

This part of the SEO localization process can be a bit time-consuming, but it really pays off when you have a platform entirely designed for a foreign audience. A multilingual website that has its internal structure configured in different languages will make it easier for search engines to identify it as relevant for a specific search.

3. User Intent Alignment: Understanding and addressing user intent is essential in the SEO localization process. It’s not just about translating content but ensuring that it answers the specific needs and expectations of the target audience. Users in different regions may search for the same product or service differently based on their intent, preferences, or habits.

For example, while one audience might look for “affordable hotels,” another might prioritize “family-friendly accommodations.” This concept is especially useful when translating and localizing advertising content or ads, as it brings us closer to the specific topics that the target audience usually searches for.

3 Reasons Why Multilingual Content Is Essential in Digital Marketing.

Multilingual content is essential for the global success of digital marketing campaigns. Whether through emails, social media, or product pages, reaching customers in their language builds trust and encourages interaction. Here’s why it matters:

1. Cultural Relevance: Cultural relevance in marketing involves more than the direct translation of your current marketing materials; it requires an accurate localization to reflect the cultural values of the target audience. In this context, direct translation can miss local nuances, so creating content that resonates with the audience’s cultural experiences is essential.

When done correctly, culturally relevant content builds trust and loyalty. Consumers are more likely to engage with a brand that acknowledges their cultural values. However, neglecting cultural relevance can alienate the audience, causing the content to appear tone-deaf or offensive. A failure to adapt the message can also limit its effectiveness, reducing the brand’s impact. Ultimately, cultural relevance is crucial for establishing meaningful connections and ensuring the success of marketing efforts.

2. Higher Conversion Rates: People are more likely to act, whether subscribing, purchasing, or sharing, when they understand and relate to your message.

For example, a company that is localizing its email campaigns could experience an increase in click-through rate, as its target audience would be more likely to read content in their native language.

3. Broader Reach: Multilingual campaigns help you tap into new markets without overhauling your entire strategy. For example, a U.S. service app that translates its ads and app interface into Mandarin can effectively target Chinese-speaking audiences domestically and abroad.

Final Thoughts.

Multilingual content is no longer optional for businesses that want to succeed in today’s competitive business landscape. Whether it’s improving your SEO strategy across multiple markets or creating content that connects with your target audience on a more personal level, adopting a multilingual approach is the first step toward achieving global growth.

Translating and localizing your content, or even developing entirely new content, such as alternative texts, culturally focused campaigns, and more can be very challenging. For this type of scenarios, Australis Localization is here to support you. We specialize in everything multilingual, from localizing your SEO to managing multilingual projects across various formats, including text, images, video, and audio.

Visit our website for more information and let us help you build a stronger connection with your audiences worldwide.

But have you ever wondered why this happens? Well, Spanish, despite being spoken across different countries worldwide, undergoes regional variations based on geographical locations. Among these variations, there is a specific type of Spanish that distinguishes itself through a unique set of characteristics, encompassing culture and customs, even within different regions of the same country. This is known as Mexican Spanish.

Being so, our team of skilled native Spanish translators from Mexico has created a list of five reasons to help you understand what sets Mexican Spanish apart. We hope you find them interesting!  

1. Vocabulary.

In Mexican Spanish, the language showcases its individuality through a fascinating aspect of its vocabulary: the incorporation of words with indigenous roots. These words, derived from the rich cultural heritage of Mexico, contribute to the uniqueness of everyday expressions. For example, the word “chocolate” originates from the Nahuatl language, spoken by the Aztecs, and has become an integral part of not only Mexican but also international vocabulary. The presence of such indigenous words adds depth and cultural significance to the language, reflecting the rich heritage of the Mexican people.

In addition to its indigenous roots, Mexican Spanish also embraces casual jargon that adds a vibrant touch to everyday conversations. One such word is “chido”, a popular Mexican slang term used to express excitement, admiration, or approval. Instead of saying, “Esa película estuvo muy buena” (That movie was really good), a Mexican might enthusiastically exclaim, “Esa película estuvo muy chida.” This linguistic twist exemplifies the lively and expressive nature of Mexican Spanish, where words like “chido” contribute to the colorful tapestry of everyday interactions, making conversations more engaging and dynamic.

Furthermore, the use of diminutives is another interesting feature of Mexican Spanish. Diminutives are formed by adding suffixes like “-ito” or “-ita” to words, indicating a smaller or cuter version. For example, instead of saying “casa” (house), a Mexican might say “casita” (little house). This linguistic phenomenon adds a sense of affection and endearment to everyday language, making conversations feel warm and inviting.

In essence, Mexican Spanish captivates with its blend of indigenous vocabulary and lively jargon, complemented by the charm of diminutives. These linguistic elements enrich everyday expressions, reflecting Mexico’s cultural heritage and fostering engaging interactions.  

2. Idiomatic Expressions.

Idiomatic expressions provide insight into the cultural nuances of Mexican Spanish. These unique phrases add depth and color to the language, often requiring a bit of cultural context to fully grasp their meaning. For example, “estar en las nubes” (to be in the clouds) is used figuratively to mean that someone is daydreaming or lost in their thoughts. So, if you see someone lost in reverie, you might playfully comment, “Parece que estás en las nubes” (It looks like you’re in the clouds).

Another example of a Mexican Spanish idiom is “ponerse las pilas.” This phrase literally means “to put on the batteries,” but figuratively, it conveys the idea of getting motivated, stepping up, or putting in extra effort. If someone needs to become more proactive or diligent, you might encourage them by saying, “Ponte las pilas” (Put on the batteries). These idiomatic expressions reflect the Mexican way of thinking and offer an engaging glimpse into the cultural fabric of the language.  

3. Pronunciation and Accents.

Pronunciation and accents play a significant role in distinguishing Mexican Spanish from other variants. One noteworthy distinction is the pronunciation of the double “ll” as either “y” or “sh.” In various regions of Mexico, the “ll” sound softens and is pronounced as the English letter “y” or the “sh” sound. For example, the word “pollo” (chicken) may be pronounced as “po-yo” or “po-sho” in Mexican Spanish, depending on the region. This particular variation adds an extra layer of uniqueness to Mexican Spanish, highlighting the language’s flexibility and regional diversity.

Furthermore, the intonation and accentuation of specific syllables can vary across Mexico. In northern regions like Chihuahua, the accent tends to fall on the last syllable of words; in Yucatán, Spanish is spoken with a slower pace and a unique intonation, reflecting the cultural and regional diversity within the country. On the other hand, in central regions like Mexico City, the accentuation follows a more neutral pattern without emphasizing any particular syllable. These variations in intonation and accent placement reflect the diverse regional characteristics and contribute to the rich tapestry of Mexican Spanish.  

4. Grammar.

While the overall grammatical structure remains consistent with other variants, there are specific grammatical nuances in Mexican Spanish to be aware of. The use of “vosotros” (second person plural) is rarely or never employed in Mexican Spanish. Instead, “ustedes” is used to address a group of people formally or informally. Moreover, variations in the past tense exist, with both the preterite and imperfect tenses used, each conveying different shades of meaning and temporal context. These subtle grammatical distinctions add depth to the linguistic complexity of Mexican Spanish.

Another example of how Mexican Spanish grammar differs from other types of Spanish is the usage of the past tense. While in standard Spanish, the preterite tense is commonly used to describe completed actions in the past, Mexican Spanish exhibits a preference for the imperfect tense in certain situations. For instance, instead of saying “Ayer fui al cine” (Yesterday, I went to the cinema) using the preterite tense, a Mexican speaker might say “Ayer iba al cine” to convey the idea of an ongoing action or to provide a sense of background context. This distinction highlights the unique grammatical preferences in Mexican Spanish, where the imperfect tense is often utilized to describe past actions in a different manner compared to other Spanish variants.  

5. Cultural References.

Language and culture share a close connection, and this holds true for Mexican Spanish. Exploring cultural references can deepen our comprehension of the language and its distinct qualities. One prominent example lies in the realm of Mexican cuisine. For instance, the term “torta” in Mexico holds a different meaning compared to its counterpart in Spain. In most of Mexico, “torta” refers to a type of sandwich made with a local bakery’s loaf of bread, while in Spain, it denotes a cake. Similarly, when it comes to vegetables, the avocado used to create guacamole in Mexican Spanish is referred to as “aguacate” (a word of Nahuatl origin), whereas in other regions like Latin America, it is known as “palta.”

By familiarizing oneself with these terms, not only does comprehension of Mexican Spanish improve, but it also offers a glimpse into the country’s vibrant culinary heritage. Understanding the unique vocabulary related to Mexican cuisine allows for a deeper appreciation of the cultural significance attached to food and reflects the richness of Mexican traditions.  

Conclusion.

Mexican Spanish is a vibrant and distinctive variant of the Spanish language. Its unique vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, pronunciation, grammar, and cultural references all contribute to its distinct character. If you ever require translation or localization services into Mexican Spanish or any other variant of Spanish, you can trust Australis Localization. We ensure accurate and contextually appropriate translations for all your specific needs.

Email us today! production@australis-localization.com

However, translations are not only a way to expedite the transmission of valuable information, but also a vital aid for people to access content which they wouldn’t be able to otherwise.

For an agency like Australis, committed to its clients, translations should always be convenient, accessible, for people who require it. The perfect example is creating subtitles for the hearing-impaired (also known as closed-captions), where accessibility is achieved thanks to written language.

Here, we’re able to enlarge the concept of linguistic solution through the use of specific tools which enable accessibility.

Another good example is Braille translation. Although the Braille alphabet may be the same between two languages, grammar and punctuation change radically, not to mention Japanese Braille, which instead of letters describes syllables. Therefore, the integration of both specialists and industry-appropriate tools is mandatory.

At Australis, we are currently in the process of becoming more engaged in accessibility, and that is why our translation and production teams are constantly training to bring about our main goal: delivering quality, no matter the solution needed.

Stay tuned! Be part of our new accessibility projects and remember that choosing quality means choosing Australis as your partner in specialized translations.

In a world that is more connected than ever, the translation of Legal documents has become a necessity. Just a few possible scenarios where Legal Translation is needed:

• International Lawsuits
• Domestic Lawsuits where the parts don’t speak the same language
• The translation of evidence (for example audio or video recordings)
• eDiscovery processes where part of the documentation is in a different language
• International arbitration cases

With global trade and migration, Legal scenarios that used to be rare are now extremely normal. In this article, we will discuss some of the key aspects to consider when dealing with Legal Translations and give you advice on what you can do to help your translation team.

“Legalese” – Different in every country

It is commonly known that Legal text has its own language, a language that it is said only lawyers can understand. Even though that is a bit of a humorous exaggeration, it is true that Legal text is written in a very particular way that is different from every other type of content.

What is not so known is that the form and style of Legal text change from language to language. It is not enough to just translate the text; an accurate Legal translation must reflect the style used on the Legal texts that are written in the target language.

And this is true not only for different languages. There are strong differences in how Legal text is written in different countries that share the same language. When you compare, for example, Legal texts from Mexico and Argentina you can find differences in the grammatical constructions and in the expressions used.

Experts only: Key points and challenges of Legal Translations

For starters, the biggest obstacle to surmount is by far the differences between Legal systems. Every country has its own set of laws and sometimes even the basis of the Legal system can be different. For example, there are Legal systems based on the Common Law (where previous judicial opinions are of primary importance, such as the US), systems based on Civil Law (where codified statutes predominate, such as France or Germany), mixed systems, etc.

It is also very usual to find Legal terms that don’t necessarily have a direct translation because they don’t exist in the target country, and that require further explanation for the reader to understand them.

It is important that the translators have experience working with Legal content and are knowledgeable on the style and terms used in the target language and country. Translators need to adopt the writing style of local lawyers. This makes the text easier to read and understand which is what you must always aim for when translating.

Working with the right reference materials is key. Governments around the world usually have Legal Dictionaries online that are useful resources when looking to understand the meaning of a specific term.

In some jurisdictions, you will need to certify your translations in order to be admitted by the court. While this varies from country to country when this is a requirement you will need to receive a physical copy of the translation by mail, which must include the translator’s seal, signature, and license number.

Accuracy is key on Legal Translations. A missing period or a moved comma can change the meaning of a sentence. When hiring a Legal Translation Agency please make sure to ask them about how they ensure both accuracy and consistency across all your files. You can’t afford a mistake in a Legal process.

For this type of content receiving a translation performed by a single translator will not be enough. To ensure quality, it is important that the translation is reviewed by a second translator who is also specialized in Legal Translations. A fresh pair of professional eyes can detect errors or improvements that the initial translator might have missed.

Helping your Translation Team

You are a critical part of the translation process. Here is a shortlist of actions you can take on your end to help your translations go smoothly:

1. Be available for questions: it is important that the translators understand 100% of the text before they translate it. Leaving things ambiguous can result in serious mistranslations.
2. Whenever possible, make sure to send fully editable files: Non-editable files such as PDFs require either OCR or manual recreation, and with either process, you run the risk of introducing distortions in the text. Spending a bit of time looking for the original editable files usually pays off in cost, time, and accuracy.
3. Reference Materials: please send all the reference materials you have available, including information about the plaintiff and defendant, about the lawsuit itself, and previous translations (if applicable). This helps the translators have a better understanding of the documents they are translating, which results in a better translation.

Closing words

A faulty translation can derail your Legal Process. Keep in mind how important it is to choose the right people for your Legal Translations, and what you need to double-check with them before trusting that team with your translation needs: They need to be Legal Experts (both in the source and in the target language), they need to be Accurate and they need to have a solid Quality Process.

We hope that the information in this article helps you in all your future Legal Translations.

At Australis Localization, we have a long track record of Legal Translations. We can also provide Sworn Translations for many Latin American countries. Do you need our help with your Legal content? Contact us at production@australis-localization.com

Despite their tight relationship, the English-Spanish pair is specially affected by a language variation that occurs in the translation process. Such variation is referred to as “false friends”, i.e. words with very similar or identical spellings, but with different meanings between the two languages.

At Australis we make sure that all our translations are accurate and truthful with respect to the original documents provided by our customers. This is why we have put together the following Top 10 of those words that are commonly mistranslated and whose meanings change radically from one to another. Let’s get started!

#10 Fish or fruit? The tuna case.

The word “tuna” is a very misleading word to translate, especially if it is into Mexican Spanish. Why? Because tuna in this country is a popular, very thorny green fruit obtained from the cactus family, also known in English as prickly pear; while on the other hand, tuna as we know it, is called in Spanish as “atún”. No matter which one you prefer, they are both delicious!

#9 I didn’t realize Spanish was this difficult.

When you realize that the Spanish word “realizar” implies the accomplishment of something rather than having knowledge of it, you begin to understand that translating is an activity that involves a high level of judgment, reading comprehension and language proficiency, since words that seem similar may have very different meanings from one another.

#8 Dressed to translate. 

In Spanish, the word “fábrica” refers to a factory, or an industrial production business; for example, a fabric factory that manufactures clothes. Similar writing: yes. Similar meaning: Not even close!

#7 The mistranslation that became a meme.

In Latin America, an English language teaching company ran a successful marketing campaign through a TV commercial in which one of its characters was totally ignorant about the English language. What was the key ingredient? This character was unable to understand the difference between the words “éxito” (success) and “exit”, which triggered a series of funny conversations. Such was the popularity of this campaign that it even became a well-known meme in Internet.

#6 What do you prefer? A billion dollars or a “billón” dollars?.

Although billion and “billón” are very similar in spelling and pronunciation, as numerical or monetary units they are totally different magnitudes. For example, the billion used in the English language corresponds to the unit followed by nine zeros, which could be correctly translated to Spanish as “mil millones” (one thousand million). On the other hand, the “billon” used in Spanish is the unit followed by 12 zeros (therefore corresponds to one million million). Thus, a “billón” is a larger number or quantity than a billion. A bit complicated, isn’t it?

#5 A different kind of joy.

Learning a new language is a unique experience because when you start to recognize words or understand conversations you are totally excited about it as you become more and more proficient. However, if you wish to explain this sensation in Spanish, better not to use the word “excitado”, because although it is similar to the word excited, this word refers to the provocation or stimulation of a feeling or passion; that is, it is used for more intense and intimate emotions.

#4 A medical mistranslation.

For inexperienced translators, the concept of childbirth can be difficult to translate. Why? Because in Spanish the word “labor” can be translated as “mano de obra” (a kind of work force). This is totally correct, but that’s an example of the importance of understanding that contexts matter too much when dealing with languages. The word “parto” would be the correct translation for labor, but only if it is being used in the field of obstetrics or medicine in general: If we were talking about companies, production forces or economy, “mano de obra” would be correctly applied. Both imply physical effort, but they are not the same thing.

#3 Fortuitous events, different meanings.

As we have seen previously, the fact that two words are similar does not mean they mean the same thing; in this case, the Spanish word “casualidad” is very similar to casualty; however, far from referring to an injured person, it is related to the probability of an occurrence. Both can be related to an unexpected event, but there is a big difference between the probability of it and being an actual victim.

#2 Don’t get angry, argue!.

If two people disagree and get too enraged they can find themselves in an argument, which can lead to a major conflict. However, in Spanish the word “argumento” is used for a situation almost contrary to the one described above: that is, a reasoning that proves, disproves or justifies something, usually as part of a civilized, non-violent discussion. However, it should be noted that “argument” as a word of the English language, can also be used to express a reason, and we can see this word most often used in the legal context.

#1 Actually, Spanish is more complicated than it seems.

This is one of the words that brings the most conflict to translators as well as to Spanish speakers who are just learning to speak English. “Actualmente” might seem that its direct translation is “actually”, however, it would be “currently”. What’s the difference? In Spanish “actualmente” refers to something that is happening right now or recently, while “actually” is more commonly used to express that something is true and real, the correct Spanish expression for that would be “en realidad”. That being the case, avoid this common misconception and understand that actually and “actualmente” evoke two different ideas.

We hope this top 10 of commonly mistranslated words has been to your liking.!

An example of this would be the different flavors of Kit-Kat chocolate in Japan, such as the flavor of Green Tea or Sweet Red Beans. However, the success of this popular brand of sweets did not lie only in the adaptation of its product to the palate of the Japanese people, but also in the understanding of their language.

Kit-Kat’s marketing team realized that their brand name is pronounced in Japanese as “kitto katto” (キットカット), which sounds a lot like “kitto katsu” (きっと勝つ), which translated into Japanese means “We will win for sure.”

Thanks to their knowledge of the language, they were capable to generate a promotional campaign that has been effective so far; such activity consisted of focusing marketing efforts towards the concept of obtaining good results, for example, parents give them to their student children to inspire them for successfully pass their exams, also they are given to friends and relatives to wish them good luck.

Although in this case Kit-Kat had a golden opportunity due to the similarity of the japanese language with its brand, what happens when the target market and the language are not known for the marketing team?

Well, the answer to that question meant the HBSC banking group an investment of $10M USD for a re-branding campaign. The reason? Its 2009 slogan “Assume Nothing.” which was meant to exemplify that the bank was transparent in its financial operations, was mistranslated globally as “Do Nothing.” This caused a reaction in which their clients thought that the bank’s financial managers would not be held responsible for their actions, whatever they were.

This was a perfect example that translation in marketing is not just about changing words from one language to another, but about providing a professional translation that understands the value proposition of a company and can represent it with the right words depending on the context of the language and the target market.

Now a mistake directly related to language misunderstanding; the Parker professional pen brand wanted to enter the Mexican market with a very attractive slogan: “It wonk leak in your pocket and embarrass you.” However, their fatal flaw resided in their translation efforts, since their poor understanding of the Spanish language led them to translate the word “embarrass” as “embarazar” (getting pregnant); thus, its slogan was translated into Spanish as “It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant.” Not Parker’s greatest move, that’s for sure.

At Australis, we always emphasize that translation and localization must be carried out by certified experts who know both the language to be translated and the target market to be reached.

If the previous examples still do not convince you of the importance of specialized translation services, a study by the company Common Senses Advisory reveals the following:

• 40% of consumers would not buy products in languages ​​other than their native ones.
• 65% prefer multimedia content in their native language (despite content being shown in another language that they are equally fluent in)
• 73% are interested in reviews of products or services in their native language.

Therefore, if you are willing to invest in marketing and your target audience includes people of other nationalities and languages ​​other than your own, your best choice is to approach an agency specialized in translations to avoid any kind of misunderstanding.

If you want to adapt your current marketing strategy, your social media content, your website, and even legal documents to another language, Australis is your most reliable option. Don’t forget to request a quote today. We hope to translate for you soon.

Editable files can easily be translated while still maintaining the original format and allows a translator to take advantage of all the quality and productivity tools at their disposal (Translation Memories, Glossaries, Do Not Translate lists, automated QA tools, etc.).

However, sometimes the editable source file just doesn’t exist, and we must deal with that.

There can be many reasons for this, perhaps it is a scan of a document that only exists in physical form (e.g., a scan of an old document).
It could also be the case that the PDF is an export from a computer system (e.g., an accounting software). Last but not least, it is possible that for one reason or another the source files exist but are not accessible. For example, a graphic designer has them, but you no longer work with this designer.

In this article we will discuss how to translate a scanned document, go over some of the issues of working with scanned copies and show 3 alternatives to translate your content.

Not having an editable source file generates the following problems

It disconnects the file from all reference material and quality tools

All modern CAT tools allow translators to have Translation Memories (with all the completed translations for a specific account so far), Glossaries, and DNT lists connected. The translator can therefore see in real time what would be the best term to use.

There are also QA tools that serve to aid in making sure that the translator is translating the same term in a consistent manner. These tools cannot be used without first having an editable source file available.

Simply translating directly to a different file (commonly a MS Word file) results in a loss of all these features and has a negative impact on the final quality of the translation.

It lowers productivity

Having to “alt+tab” every couple of seconds dramatically slows down the translation process. This, in turn, means less gets done each day, which negatively impacts both cost and delivery times.

Character corruption

There are many reasons why a character gets corrupted or misinterpreted as an incorrect character. For example, some scanned documents have a very low resolution and are difficult to convert. This can cause the OCR software to misinterpret certain characters, such as mistaking a “g” as an “8” or an upper case “O” as a “0”.

Documents that were old and grainy before conversion or have blemishes on the paper can also generate issues. Blemishes tend to be interpreted as characters by the OCR software.

Finally, a poorly made scan (e.g., a scan where the paper was not set straight) can also lead to characters being misinterpreted.

Format loss during OCR

While character recognition software does its best to match the original format, it is usually not enough, and the final product tends to have many flaws.
Even when the format appears to be flawless, it only remains so provided nothing is changed. As soon as the document is translated it all breaks down.

Translate a scanned document: 3 possible solutions

We have explored the many problems that scanned copies tend to have when used as source files for translations. Now we will explore some alternatives used to tackle these issues in order to translate your scanned documents, with all their pros and cons included.

Full re-creation

The file is fully recreated from scratch using a professional Graphic design software, for example Adobe InDesign or Illustrator. The end result matches 100% with the formatting of the original scan and can be used for professional printing.

Pros: the finished product is suitable for all uses and can be sent for printing and can be used to create high resolution PDFs. You also get to keep the file that was originally recreated, in case you want to translate it to a different language.
Cons: it is more costly, and it takes more time to recreate. If a high-quality format is not needed, it may not be worth it from a cost/benefit standpoint.

Light re-creation/Simple OCR

The file is recreated with OCR software to MS Word and only the major differences are corrected. This results in a file that is similar to the original but not an exact copy.
For this option to work it is important that the format of the original is relatively simple, and that there aren’t many tables on the document.
If it is acceptable to deliver a file that has a similar format to the original, but has small differences, this could be the right option for you.

Pros: Lower cost, faster to produce. The results are good enough to be used electronically and can be published on a website or printed on a home printer.
Cons: there will be slight differences with the original, the result won’t have a high resolution and will not be suitable to be sent to a professional printing service.

Translating directly to a Word file

As mentioned before this method is fairly time consuming and has all the problems discussed above. The formatting of the original is often completely lost.

Pro: a reasonable option when format is not important at all. It is the only solution for handwritten documents
Cons: the additional effort impacts the cost and time, the format is lost.

Conclusion

Translating scanned documents isn’t impossible, it just requires a bit more work. With the right type of recreation, time, and budget, even the grainiest of scans can be translated.
Part of our nature at Australis is to provide solutions, even when the initial conditions are not ideal. If you have scanned documents you need to translate, please send us an email to production@australis-localization.com and let’s discuss how we can help you.

We live in a world where people are more connected than ever. In the Services sector companies have clients and competitors all over the world.

In the product sector value chains go across continents, and in the manufacturing process of even the simplest of products you can find out that the different components were created in different countries and the final product assembled on another country altogether.

Globalization – An ongoing process

All of this is common knowledge, to the point that some people believe that Globalization is something that has already happened. Something that is old news.

The truth is that Globalization is far from over. It is an ever evolving and shifting process in which national and corporate interests.

Take, for example, China’s Belt and Road initiative, which aims to connect large parts of Asia (including the often-postponed Central Asia) with Europe. This initiative is the biggest transnational infrastructure project in modern times.

Europe in turn, is once again looking at Africa, both as a potential market, as well as a place where it can install factories. There are several trade corridors proposed, some modest and achievable, and others more difficult and challenging, but with greater potentials for profit.

There are many projects of this nature in several stages of development, which indicates that international integration is far from over.

The growth of eCommerce

We previously dedicated an entire article to the different options available for eCommerce. eCommerce has been an ongoing trend for a while now, but the pandemic has pushed it into the center of the world stage.

More people than ever are used to buying their products online and that number will only get bigger as new regions get added to the international trade networks.

A promising future – Reaching new markets

What does the future hold for you? It is hard to tell. But it is highly likely that, as new trade routes are open, your future clients and suppliers will come from new countries.

As you may imagine, doing business with a new country has unique challenges, here are some examples:

• Working under a completely new Legal framework (which includes labor, health and safety, trade and tax laws).
• If you are opening a new branch, this will require training and integrating your new staff to your company (which includes trainings, HR documents, healthcare documents, processes, internal policies, etc.).
• Adapting your sales and marketing strategy to a new demographic (marketing material, sales agreements, a new website in the target language, ad campaigns, videos, etc.).
• Onboarding new suppliers into your value chain requires bilingual contracts, and service-level agreements in their target language. It also involves processes and regulations that will allow you to coordinate work effectively with your new partner.

In all the examples above you will have to deal with linguistic challenges and it is key to have a partner that can help you navigate them so you can focus on your core business.

At Australis Localization we have over 120 language combinations and can work with many subject matters. Our translators are trained linguists, and experts in the target languages.

We can help you translate all the legal documents you will need, translate the healthcare plans of your new employees, help you with your new multilingual marketing campaign and, overall, give you peace of mind so you can focus on your main goals and not think about translations.

What is your strategy for the future? If you see the future as an opportunity, contact us today and let’s talk about how we can support your plans for expansion.

IMAGES:

1. Globalization: Designed by rawpixel.com / Freepik
2. eCommerce: Logo vector created by jcomp – www.freepik.com
3. Reaching new markets: Globe Vectors by Vecteezy